bio load question

[marklugo23]

what is considered a low bio load, is it one fish or five fish.? i plan on getting a protein skimmer soon, maybe a swc 120, that will fit fine with my stand. but the next size up will be cutting it close, my stand is only 23" high...
Dont know what skimmer to try, i have a 90 cube and only 23" to play with if anybody can throw ideas with a protein skimmer and help me out with the bioload question

 

[evilskudd]

i love you , my little spoon

 

[marklugo23]

Thanks for answering lol

 

[TRIGGERMAN]

Depends on the tank..if it's a small tank then 1 or 2 fish if it's a 450 like richie's then 5 would be low. I usually keep only a few fish. The less fish the better really. Your water quality will stay better for a lot longer.

and I hope evilskudd is your gf lol

 

[skene]

A low bioload on a 90g tank would be 0 fish and minimal amounts of coral and cuc.
While you have a short height on your tank. You want to find a skimmer that would be low enough but oversized... for example. A skimmer that would be rated for 100g on a lightly stocked tank, would not be efficient in a high bioload tank and would continuously be pulling skimmate out of the water. IMO a quality skimmer rated for 150-200g would much be suited as you may want to know that at times no skimmate would be produced, thus only allowing for water aeration. While this may be considered over skimming the water, you have to really decide what you want to accomplish with your tank.
Are you looking for a full SPS system with a low nutrient system, or focus on a mixed reef where you need to keep a medium to higher nutrient system focused on easier SPS, LPS and softies.